The Famous “Husa Knife” of Achang Ethnic Group

The “Husa Knife” (户撒刀), also known as the Achang Knife (阿昌刀), is a renowned traditional knife that originates from the Husa and Lasa areas of Longchuan County (陇川县), where many Achang people reside. The knife is famous for its fine craftsmanship, sharpness, and durability. The knives are known for being well-forged, elaborately made, and highly tensile, making them long-lasting and efficient tools.

Varieties of Husa Knives

The Achang knife comes in many different sizes and shapes, with over ten distinct types designed for various purposes. These knives include:

  • Working knives for daily tasks

  • Knives for hunting and self-protection

  • Daggers for butchering domestic animals

  • Long swords for larger tasks

In addition to knives made for the Achang people, the craftsmen also produce knives for other ethnic groups, such as the Tibetan knife (藏刀) and Jingpo knife (景颇刀). The Achang knife is highly esteemed not only within the Achang community but also among neighboring ethnic groups like the Han, Dai, Jingpo, Tibetan, and Bai peoples. The knife’s reputation has grown beyond the borders of Yunnan, reaching places like Beijing, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Heilongjiang. Even international collectors seek out Achang knives for their quality and craftsmanship.

The History of Achang Knife-Making

The Achang ethnic group has a rich tradition of making knives and other cutting tools, with a history spanning over 600 years. According to tradition, during the Ming Dynasty, an army stationed in the Husa and Lasa areas had a special group of smiths tasked with making weapons. These smiths, skilled in metallurgy, married local people, and over time, they merged with the local population. The Achang people inherited and refined the skills they learned from the Ming army, developing their own distinct style of knife-making.

Regional Specialties and Skilled Craftsmanship

In the Husa area, the knife-making industry is so ingrained that the entire region functions like a “factory” for handicrafts. Different villages in the region are known for producing specific types of knives, with each village specializing in a particular product:

  • Laifu village: Known for its long black knives and Hugang knives (decorated steel knives)

  • Mangdong village: Known for broadswords and small pointed knives

  • Lajie village: Specializes in saw-toothed sickles

  • Xin village: Known for carry-on-back knives

  • Mangsuo village: Specializes in sheaths

Durability and Craftsmanship

The durability of the Husa knife comes from two main factors:

  1. Choice of materials: The Achang people use only the finest materials for forging their knives.

  2. Mastery of the forging process: Achang blacksmiths are highly skilled in quenching and hardening the steel, which is then carefully ground to ensure precision.

These knives are not only sharp but also incredibly flexible. Some old craftsmen have perfected the art of making knives that are firm yet flexible, capable of being curled and uncurled with ease. For example, a long sword can be coiled around the waist when not in use and straightened when needed. This remarkable craftsmanship is a testament to the Achang people’s skill and innovation in metalworking.